Australian Solo Championships roar into Mildura this Wednesday – and the locals are right in the mix

 

Photo - Justin Sedgman in action

Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway is set to take center stage this Wednesday, January 7, when the 2026 Australian Solo Speedway Championships roll into town for Round 3 of the national series. 

While the headline names are enough to pull fans from across the country, the story that matters most for Sunraysia is simple: our local riders will be taking on the best in Australia on their home clay. 

Photo - Jaimon Lidsey

Local riders to watch: Lidsey, Sedgmen… and Wood in reserve

Mildura crowds know what a difference “home track” can make. Olympic Park has a reputation for producing hard, fast racing — and that local knowledge could be priceless when the points are on the line.

Jaimon Lidsey arrives with serious credentials and big expectations. The 2020 world U21 champion, and he’s part of a stacked field loaded with proven winners and rising stars.

Justin Sedgmen is another name local fans will be cheering loudly. He’s been a consistent contender at the top level, the two-time Australian runner-up, will be hungry to turn that experience into maximum points when the series hits Mildura. 

Then there’s Dayle Wood, named among the reserves for the 2026 championship line-up — the kind of role that can quickly turn into a major opportunity on race night.

Why the Mildura round matters

The 2026 title is being decided across four rounds — a Wodonga double-header, then Mildura on January 7, before the final round at Gillman in South Australia.

That makes this midweek Mildura meeting a real pressure point: by the time riders load up and head to the next round, there’s not much room left to “make it back later”.

What to expect on the night

If you’re new to the Australian Solo Championships, here’s the easiest way to picture it: short, intense races where every point matters.

The official event format for the Mildura round is set to include 20 heats, with the top two on points going straight to the final, while riders placed 3rd to 10th fight through two semi-finals for the remaining spots. 

That structure is great for spectators because it rewards consistency — but it also creates do-or-die moments where one mistake can change the whole night.

Event details at a glance

Where: Olympic Park Speedway, Mildura
When: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (Mildura Motorcycle Club)

From the Mildura Motorcycle Club schedule:

• Gates open 5:00pm

• Practice 7:00pm

• Main racing 8:30pm (revised start time due to heat)

The local angle: more than just race night

Big national events do more than crown champions — they put Mildura on the map for motorsport fans, fill seats midweek, and remind everyone that Olympic Park isn’t “just a local track”.

This Wednesday, local supporters get the best of both worlds: a national-title atmosphere, and local riders with a genuine shot at shaping the round. If you’ve ever wanted to take someone to speedway for the first time, this is the night — fireworks on the track, a proper parade, and the kind of racing where you’re on your feet without realising it.